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ATLANTA — With nearly a decade of hands-on experience in community engagement, from grassroots work in South America to service in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, Lily Spencer (M.S.W. ’25) came to Georgia State University to formalize their commitment to social justice and prepare for leadership in the field of social work.
Spencer, a native of Decatur, Ga., and a University of Georgia graduate, spent several years after receiving their undergraduate degree working with immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities across both local and international settings. They travelled through South America conducting informal research on social work practices, followed by two years in the Peace Corps in Guatemala — a transformative period they initially expected would become long term through extended service.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought Spencer back to Atlanta. By June 2024, they had enrolled in Georgia State’s School of Social Work program as a Paul D. Coverdell Fellow for returned Peace Corps volunteers. The fellowship provided a tuition waiver and allowed Spencer to work as a graduate research assistant with the Georgia Health Policy Center on maternal and child health initiatives. Spencer, a trained doula, is passionate about perinatal health and reproductive justice.
“I’m drawn to work that sits at the intersection of identities and systems,” they said. “That includes immigration justice, LGBTQ+ equity, reproductive rights and building stronger communities.”
A key part of Spencer’s graduate experience was their field placement at RHY Atlanta (Runaway and Homeless Youth of Atlanta) where they worked alongside fellow social work interns and AmeriCorps VISTA members. The organization’s inclusive structure gave Spencer a rare opportunity to lead, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to programming and advocacy efforts for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth.
As Spencer prepares to graduate, they are applying for roles in nonprofit organizations focused on reproductive justice and immigrant rights, with a specific interest in program management and policy-based work.
“This milestone has been almost a decade in the making,” they said. “It’s a testament to my perseverance and the power of having a strong support system. Georgia State gave me the opportunity to grow, connect and reimagine my future.”
— By AYSPS Graduate Student Assistant Ayomidotun Olugbenle (M.A. in Communication)